PCOS Diva Podcast

November 25, 2015 Millions of women around the world struggle with PCOS. That number would make you think that PCOS research would be popular and well funded. For many reasons, this is not the case. The good news is that research physician Dr. Frank González and many who share his passion are undertaking research right now that will change the lives of women with PCOS. Dr. Gonzalez is studying the link between PCOS and inflammation. We know that inflammation is the underpinning of most major diseases and health problems (cancer, diabetes, heart attack, stroke). Now we can add PCOS to the list. Listen in as Dr. Gonzalez explains the “epigenetic phenomenon” that leads an overweight mother to predispose her fetus to obesity for their lifetime the effect of inflammation on ovarian dysfunction how to reverse the damage inflammation has caused already and prevent new damage his research on asprin-like drugs on PCOS and inflammation the usefulness of natural anti-inflammatories (like ginger).

November 21, 2015 “(Management of) stress is just as important as diet and exercise in the management of PCOS. It’s a piece that has to be addressed because, unless you do, you can’t get the hormones in check.” – Dr. Shawna Darou Stress hormones inter-play with the hormones we most often hear associated with PCOS. Progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones either bring your body balance or wreak havoc on your health. For women with PCOS, they often worsen symptoms like abdominal weight gain, acne, facial hair growth, or hair loss on the head. Dr. Shawna Darou recently sat down with me to explain the role of stress on hormones in women with PCOS and left us with some important take-aways on how to reduce stress and its effects. Listen in and learn about: unexpected sources of chronic stress tips for controlling stress how stress effects the thyroid hormones and makes your blood work appear normal when it’s not why stress causes weight around the central abdomen, particularly in women with PCOS the danger of over-exercising adrenal fatigue and how you can test for it.

November 17, 2015 Are you a stress eater? A reward eater? A comfort eater? You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. This is not about will power. There’s a reason why this destructive eating behavior is going on. Women with PCOS are often told, “You need to lose weight and go on a low carb, ketogenic or paleo diet.” For a lot of us, the thoughts of going on a strict food plan leads to a sense of denial and a cycle of stress/emotional eating. Dr. Melissa McCreery is a well-known psychologist and author who can suggest some reasons for our eating habits and practical ways we can avoid pit falls. Listen to my interview with her and learn: How to live, eat well, and have the health that you want without feeling deprived, miserable and overwhelmed The power of adopting a transformation mindset What’s your why? Is your overeating biological, emotional, a coping mechanism, or all of these? Practical holiday eating tips.

October 28, 2015 “The most critical factor in all of the issues facing women with PCOS is systematic inflammation and its origin which is probably in the gut,” explains Dr. Felice Gersh in our most recent interview. Dr. Gersh is a doctor of integrated medicine and a renowned expert on PCOS. Our conversation was wide ranging as she clearly explained the origin of many of our toughest symptoms. The gut-brain-hormone link can be a delicate balancing act, but once we get it worked out, Dr. Gersh assures, our physical and emotional health will radically improve. Listen in and learn: Why the gut is called the 2nd brain What steps to take in order to calm and treat GI inflammation The impact of stress, emotions and anxiety on your gut and overall health The link between nutrient deficiencies, leaky gut, insulin resistance, acne, hair loss, Hashimotos and other auto immune disorders How mouthwash is ruining your arteries Foods and supplements that can help repair your gut and reduce inflammation The extreme dangers of pharmaceuticals like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium.

French women are well known for their easy elegance and style. What is their secret to making fabulous look simple? Jamie Cat Callan has made a life’s study out of answering just that question. I was inspired to interview her and learn more about the nuances behind French women’s “joie de vivre” after reading her latest book, “Bonjour Happiness.” The book is a serious, but light hearted guide to capturing the essence of living well. The philosophy fits very well with the PCOS Diva mantra, “A Diva is Powerfully Positive.” Listen to our conversation as we discuss how self-love is the cornerstone of happiness and a positive life how French women eat what they want without guilt the French life-affirming philosophy and methodology around food how finding your “secret garden” will better your life and the lives of those around you.

August 27, 2015 Interview with Dr. Tom O’Bryan, who is an internationally recognized expert on Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Inflammation due to gluten sensitivity is a central concern to women with PCOS, so I was thrilled to interview him for our latest podcast

August 17, 2015 Does any of this sound familiar: chronic fatigue, apathy, depression, brain fog, memory lapse, mood swings, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, panic attacks, weight gain, hair loss, low body temperature, or joint pain? You may have a thyroid disorder. As a woman with PCOS, your likelihood of having Hashimoto’s Disease is 3 times greater than other women. Many of us suffer from this or some other type of thyroid disorder. With this in mind, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Izabelle Wentz, a prominent thyroid expert and pharmacist. Her search for the root cause of Hashimoto’s Disease offers hope to all of us who suffer from thyroid issues. During our conversation, we discussed: Hypothyroidism vs. Hashimoto’s Disease Tests you need to ask your doctor about to be properly diagnosed Common and often overlooked or misdiagnosed symptoms Actions to take when you are diagnosed Possible benefits of pharmaceuticals Causes and results of not properly treating thyroid issues | Read More on PCOS Diva August 17, 2015 Does any of this sound familiar: chronic fatigue, apathy, depression, brain fog, memory lapse, mood swings, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, panic attacks, weight gain, hair loss, low body temperature, or joint pain? You may have a thyroid disorder. As a woman with PCOS, your likelihood of having Hashimoto’s Disease is 3 times greater than other women. Many of us suffer from this or some other type of thyroid disorder. With this in mind, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Izabelle Wentz, a prominent thyroid expert and pharmacist. Her search for the root cause of Hashimoto’s Disease offers hope to all of us who suffer from thyroid issues. During our conversation, we discussed: Hypothyroidism vs. Hashimoto’s Disease Tests you need to ask your doctor about to be properly diagnosed Common and often overlooked or misdiagnosed symptoms Actions to take when you are diagnosed Possible benefits of pharmaceuticals Causes and results of not properly treating thyroid issues.

July 25, 2015 So, what’s your type? Dr. Philip Goglia, nutritionist to pro and semi-pro athletes, stars like Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Ryan Gosling and even a PCOS Diva, can tell you. He specializes in metabolic nutrition and divides the population in to 3 types of metabolisms. I was inspired to interview him after reading his book, “Turn up the Heat – Unlock the Fat Burning Power of Your Metabolism.” His message of eating to your metabolic type spoke to me, and I think you will benefit from what he has to say as well. Listen in and learn: 3 types of metabolism and how to get the most out of yours are you eating enough food? his guidelines of what starches and sugars to eat and avoid (hint: avoid “fluffy and mushy”) how to build an eating pattern that will heat up your metabolism what to eat at bedtime to help you sleep better Please listen until the end. He has a important and special message just for PCOS Divas.

June 30, 2015 PCOS Diva has a fundamental purpose of empowering and educating women about their health and fertility. That is why I am thrilled to get behind a Kickstarter campaign to turn Holly Grigg Spall’s book, Sweetening the Pill: or How We Got Hooked on Hormonal Birth Control into a documentary. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein plan to make this thought-provoking book into a documentary. The goal is to empower and educate women so they can make an informed choice about their fertility and birth control. Too often, women are given the birth control pill as a first line treatment for PCOS. They are never informed of the countless side effects they can expect while on the pill or the post-pill syndrome they can expect when they stop taking it. We are rarely educated by physicians about the rhythms of our body and how to regulate our cycles with lifestyle choices and supplements. I had the opportunity to interview author Holly Grigg- Spall this week. Listen to my interview with Holly and learn about: The benefits and side effects of hormonal birth control (the pill and its cousins) Difference between a period on the pill and a period on your own Regulating your period without pharmaceuticals What is body literacy and why it is important How you can help make this documentary project happen!

June 20, 2015 Menstrual cycle wheel. Average menstrual cycle. Bleeding period and ovulation. Nicole Jardim is a leading expert in the area of menstruation and women’s hormones. During our interview, we explored her work addressing the root cause of period abnormalities. Rather than simply treating or masking the symptoms, she strives to find the root of the irregularities and repair the problem naturally. She gives practical advice about figuring out why your period may be irregular and suggests the type of proactive changes you can make to start ovulating regularly and get your cycle sorted out. Listen in as we talk about: what is a normal period? what can your period tell you about your health? how and why to chart your cycle the relationship between estrogen dominance and your cycle the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our environment on your period is the pill a solution?